Every week, we’ll update you on all the important musings in the hockey world over the past seven days — from the NHL and beyond.

There were plenty of viral happenings around the game last week despite the NHL’s three-day break. That includes a massive upset at the World Juniors, Patrik Laine battling former teammates, a tear-inducing Leafs jersey, a Gaudreau family update, coaching moves in Detroit, Colorado extending Blackwood, Ovechkin’s epic return, an appearance from Buddy The Elf and more.

Here’s the top sights, sounds and news you might have missed in hockey last week.

Canada loses as Latvia’s Feldbergs becomes a World Juniors darling

Though it was a lighter than-usual-week in the NHL, that void was somewhat filled with the start of the World Juniors tournament, with Team Canada kicking its tourney off on Boxing Day with a 4-0 win over Finland.

Two days later, however, the Canadians suffered one of the most stunning losses in the history of the tournament, losing in a shootout to Latvia, who were as much as a 40-1 underdog by some sports books entering the contest.

Canada threw all they had at Latvia, outshooting the maroon side 57-27, but could not beat the man behind the miraculous Latvian upset: goaltender Linards Feldbergs, who made an outstanding 55 saves in regulation and overtime before turning aside all eight Canadian skaters in the shootout to cap one of the most insane goaltending performances in tournament memory.

The undrafted 19-year-old was the darling of social media after his epic performance.

“I’m still in shock,” Feldbergs said after the game. “I think I’d need like one hour to process this … everything that happened on the ice.”

Some spectacular footage and sound bites emerged post-game, too:

It was an absolute stinker for Canada and a moment none of those players were glad to be a part of, but the team can take solace in the fact that this upset didn’t come during an elimination-round game and will likely have little effect in the round-robin standings.

Canada won its next game game over Germany on Sunday, meaning Tuesday’s highly anticipated New Year’s Eve matchup between the Canadians and Team USA will likely determine who gets first spot in the group.

Worst Christmas gift ever?

The most wholesome video of the week comes courtesy of this little kid — and apparently president of the Leafs Haters Club — who absolute lost his mind when his family gifted him an Auston Matthews Maple Leafs jersey.

Not exactly sure where this little dude’s allegiances lie, but we certainly know now that even the site of this team’s jersey is enough to make him weep profusely. Amazing stuff.

Plenty of fans chimed in as the video went viral over the weekend:

“Leaf fan here 😂 I feel you kiddo,” one comment read.

“Child abuse,” read another.

“This is our year tho. He’s a bandwagoner,” read another reply, while another Instagram user wrote, “He’s already a seasoned Toronto fan. He’s already getting ready for the playoffs.”

“Nobody wants to be a Leafs fan,” wrote one commenter.

“Child abuse,” quipped another.

Congrats, kid, you somehow managed to win over the entire online hockey community. No easy feat.

Gaudreau’s widow gives birth 4 months after tragic death

The widow of Matthew Gaudreau has given birth to their son four months after her husband’s death, who alongside his brother, NHL star Johnny Gaudreau, were killed by an alleged drunk driver.

Madeline Gaudreau shared the exciting news on Sunday, announcing the birth of “Tripp” with an Instagram post on Sunday:

“[Matthew] was born to be a dad,” Madeline said at the Gaudreau brothers’ funeral in September.

“The moment we found out about our son Tripp, it consumed his every day. He was downloading apps, ordering books, finding the best diaper brand, making sure I had the best vitamins and asking for tips from John. I will never forget the tears he had in his eyes when he first heard Tripp’s heartbeat.

“I know Matt will surround his son for the rest of his life,” she added, through heavy tears.

Matthew along with his brother Johnny, were back home in New Jersey in late August to serve as groomsmen in their sister’s wedding when they were struck by Sean M. Higgins, who was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol, according to police. In September, Higgins was formally charged with two counts of death by auto, reckless driving, possession of an open container and consuming alcohol in a motor vehicle.

Higgins faces up to 20 years in prison.

Laine jousts with former teammates in Columbus return

Patrik Laine spent four seasons in Columbus, but collected few fond memories, apparently.

Ahead of the Montreal Canadiens’ matchup against Columbus last Monday, Laine had some blunt and surprising comments toward his former Blue Jackets teammates when speaking to media after the morning skate.

“Obviously, things happened, and that was kind of it for me,” Laine said to The Athletic‘s Aaron Portzline. “I feel like we were just doing the same thing year after year. I was tired of losing and just giving up when it’s December to start focusing on next year. I’m not going to do that. That’s frustrating as a player when you’re trying to win and some people are, you know, not like that.

“They’re a little too satisfied and too comfortable where they’re at. It wasn’t really a fit for me anymore. But here (in Montreal), it doesn’t matter if we’re winning or losing, we’re always trying our best.”

Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski, along with many of his Columbus teammates, were, unsurprisingly, not impressed with Laine’s comments when they got wind of them.

“For him to bash us like that, I think it’s just unacceptable,” Werenski said to reporters after Columbus’ 5-4 win.

“It’s unfortunate, we were nothing but good teammates to him. For him to come in and say that is bullshit. Definitely not happy about it and none of us in this room are happy about it. It speaks more about him than it does us.”

“What’s he thinking saying that? It’s just incredible.”

Unfortunately both sides will likely have to wait until next year to continue the squabble as they don’t face off again for the rest of this regular season.

Red Wings shake it up behind the bench

The struggling Detroit Red Wings made a couple of big moves behind the bench last week, firing head coach Derek Lalonde and replacing him with Todd McLellan.

The Red Wings were 13-17-4, seventh in the Atlantic Division, and losers of three straight when McLellan was officially hired on Thursday.

“I’ve never been in this situation before,” McLellan said after his hiring on Friday. “I’ve been the guy kicked out the door, unfortunately, but I’ve never come in at this time. I know I can’t overreact, over-teach and over-meet with the players — it would just be too much.”

McLellan last coached the Los Angeles Kings last season before being fired in early February. The 57-year-old is 598-412-134 in 1,144 regular-season games with the San Jose Sharks, Edmonton Oilers and Kings.

McLellan is familiar with the Red Wings organization, working on the team’s staff as an assistant coach from 2005-08 — winning a Stanley Cup Detroit in his final year.

Lalonde, meanwhile, was 89-86-23 in 198 games with the Red Wings over two-and-a-half seasons behind the bench. The 52-year-old was hired by Detroit after four successful seasons as an assistant coach with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Avalanche extend Blackwood after trade with Sharks

The Colorado Avalanche are hoping they’ve finally solved their goaltending woes after inking Mackenzie Blackwood to a five-year contract extension worth $5.25 million per season through the 2029-30 campaign.

Blackwood, who was acquired by the Avs in a trade with the Sharks on Dec. 9, has been exceptional since arriving in Colorado, posting a 4-1 record with a 1.82 goals-against average and .940 save percentage in five games with his new club.

The Avalanche currently sit third in the Central Division.

Ovechkin returns with a bang

Hot in pursuit of Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goal record, Alex Ovechkin is having the year of his life.

The 39-year-old, less than six weeks after literally breaking his leg, returned to the Washington Capitals lineup over the weekend with a vengeance, playing back-to-back games againast the Maple Leafs and Red Wings, respectively — scoring in both.

With the empty-netter against Toronto and the classic Ovi one-timer versus Detroit, Ovechkin now sits just 25 goals away from passing Wayne Gretzky’s career regular-season goal mark of 894 and claiming the NHL’s most prestigious individual record.

Even with Ovechkin missing nearly six weeks, there’s a good chance he claims the crown before the end of the season if he keeps anywhere near the scoring pace he’s been on since October.

Christmas cameo of the week: Will Ferrell attends Kings game dressed as ‘Buddy’

There was a “Buddy The Elf” sighting at the Kings game last week, and it was glorious.

Complete with an unlit dart hanging out of his mouth, Will Ferrell really went all in here.

The New York Rangers have been in shambles all season long, and the team’s biggest rival is clearly loving every minute of it.

So when New Jersey handed New York another loss right before the league’s holiday break, its social media team was ready to go.